The Perse School
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil and Staff Login
  • Calendar
  • Sports Fixtures
  • Term dates
  • Search
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Explore
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • Sixth Form Life
    • People
    • The Perse Today
    • Summer School
    • Contact
    • Job Vacancies
    • Policies and Inspection
    • Events
    • Keep in Touch
    • Support Us
    • Get Involved
    • Notable Alumni
    • Head's Blog
    • News Stories
    • Parent Login
    • Pupil and Staff Login
    • Calendar
    • Sports Fixtures
    • Term dates

PES Ascent summer camp – Summer 2014

2 Sep 2014

This summer, members of the PES Ascent Group ventured to the Isle of Wight for an action-packed trip involving camping, hiking, mountain boarding and archery. James Irvin, one of the group leaders shares his experiences of this fantastic trip.

“For the main group, summer camp began with a restless night in the school Outdoor Pursuits hut, but everybody was ready for the 6:30am start. Drowsily, bags were packed, and people climbed onto the coaches destined for the Isle of Wight.  Two enormous lorries full of kit and the advance party of student leaders had already gone a day earlier.

As the students arrived they fell-in and the camp was declared open by the Senior Patrol Leader. As Adjutant I had to raise the Union Jack, which immediately got tangled in the trees. After that, summer camp really kicked into action. Patrols rushed to their sites, which had been prepared by the advanced party (the bears and stags) earlier that day, and set to work erecting their tents as best they could. Sleeping tents and dining shelters were hoisted up while preparations were made for the first meal of camp. The tents were inspected by the Bear Patrol Leaders to point out where they could be improved to prevent them collapsing in the night. Most meals were marked by the staff and student leaders for the cooking competition award at the end of camp. After everybody had eaten and washed-up, the troop assembled at the fall-in site and the flag was lowered, marking the end of a successful first day. Everybody retreated back to their sites and got some well-earned rest.

After an early start the bears conducted tours of the site, and students became acquainted with their beautiful surroundings; a network of clearings in woods running down to a tidal estuary. That afternoon, optional master classes were held. These included pioneering, camp baking, carving and trap building. Students also built various gadgets, which would be judged in a competition. These included a volleyball net, washing up stands and even a device that was used to measure the state of the tide, even though you could just glance over at the water! That evening preparations were made for the two days of hikes.

The hike route led students through green fields and valleys to the point where the hills began. After a few steep climbs the ground flattened out and the hikers were exposed to a truly awesome spectacle: outstanding panoramic views over the whole of the Isle of Wight. After a quick break everybody pressed on to the survival campsite, where upon arrival they would be instructed how to build a shelter from the natural materials that surrounded them. Students also traded the different meals they received in their army ration packs, and many put it upon themselves to see how many of the popular beef jerky packets they could get.

A highlight for many was the Olympiad. This was a competition where students jumped backwards, did the limbo and waded through mud to victory. There were some outstanding performances, including someone going under 60cm in the limbo. Students also tested their skills in the two activity days that followed. In these some students explored sea caves and canoed around the coast while others tested their mountain boarding and archery skills.

What followed was marked on the program as the “Excursion Day” where students were led to believe that they were going to the rather tame Robin Hill Adventure Land. Students were extremely surprised when they found out that they were actually taking part in a Shrek themed wide game, where they had to rescue the Princess – one of the year sevens in each patrol that had been kidnapped earlier in the day – from the tallest tower.

Overall, this summer camp was the best I have ever experienced, not least because it didn’t rain (which is a first for PES), but also because of the enormous efforts by the staff and volunteers. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as being one of the student leaders in PES, and have found the experience very rewarding due to all of the skills I have learnt.”

 

 

Categories

Clubs and societies
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google+
  • Email
 
 

Latest News

15 Jan 2021

Perse extra-curricular clubs and activities prevail despite lockdown

9 Dec 2020

Sew far, sew good as pupils create bunting to brighten up Perse

25 Nov 2020

Wildflower meadow project set to bloom at The Perse

Read moreView all

News Archive

2021

January

2020

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2019

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2018

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2017

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2016

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2015

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2014

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2013

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2012

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2011

December
November
October
September
August
Return to startReturn to start

The Perse Pelican
Head: Francesca Heftman
92 Glebe Road
Cambridge
CB1 7TD

T +44 (0) 1223 403940

The Perse Prep
Head: James Piper
Trumpington Road
Cambridge
CB2 8EX

T +44 (0) 1223 403920

The Perse Upper
Head: Ed Elliott
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 8QF

T +44 (0) 1223 403800

  • Contact
  • Job Vacancies
  • Our Vision, Values and Aims
  • Term Dates
  • Inspection Report
  • Governors
  • Perse Studio
  • Policies
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Privacy Notices
  • Disclaimer
  • Website Terms of Use
pelican@perse.co.uk
prep@perse.co.uk
schooloffice@perse.co.uk
Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

© The Perse School 2021. All Rights reserved.
Crafted by The District and Chameleon Studios

 
Toggle the navigation
 
The Perse School
Parent Login Calendar Site Search
  • Homepage
  • About us 
    • The Perse Today 
      • Our vision, values and aims 
        • Sustainability 
      • Philosophy 
      • Outreach and Community Partnerships 
      • Governors 
      • Perse in Cambridge 
      • Rooted in History 
        • Timeline 
      • Expanding our Facilities 
    • Summer School 
    • Contact 
      • Open Events 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Book a Tour 
    • Job Vacancies 
  • Pelican 
    • Admissions 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Open Morning 
      • Book a Tour 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
        • Nursery and Reception 
        • Years 1 and 2 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Club Pelican 
    • School Life 
      • Home from Home 
      • The School Day 
      • Pelican Behaviour 
      • Newsletter 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Pelican staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Prep 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Prep 
        • Open Morning 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
        • Activity Morning 
        • Pre-Test Service 
      • Prep 360 Virtual Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
      • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Assessment 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs 
      • Drama + Music 
      • Sport 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • School Council 
      • Newsletter 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Prep Staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Upper 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Open Days 
      • Visiting the Upper 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Linking Project 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Exam Results 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 Society 
      • Drama + Dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
      • Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • 6th Form 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Sixth Form 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Open Evening 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
        • International Students 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Learning Support 
      • Exam Results 
      • University 
        • University destinations 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 
      • Drama + dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
    • Sixth Form Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The Sixth Form Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff list 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • Alumni 
    • Events 
    • Keep in Touch 
      • OP News 
      • E-Newsletter 
        • Perse Profiles 
        • Into The Archive 
        • Recent Events 
      • Find a Friend 
      • Update Form 
      • Contact Us 
      • Memorabilia 
      • E-Communications 
    • Support Us 
      • Make a Gift 
      • Bursaries 
      • 2021 Leavers’ Gift 
      • Outreach 
      • Legacies 
      • Donor Recognition 
    • Get Involved 
      • Year Group Reps 
      • Networking & Careers 
      • 42 Society Lectures 
    • Notable Alumni 
  • News 
  • Head's Blog
  • Contact
  • Calendar
  • Sport Fixtures
  • Term Dates
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil + Staff Login
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook